Review by Booklist Review
Gr. K-2. While in the park feeding the birds, with her abuela (grandmother), Rosalba wonders what it would be like to fly--and in her imagination--fly they do! Together, the young girl and her grandmother see New York City from above--the neighborhoods, the coastal area, and the docks. At the Statue of Liberty, Abuela says, "Me gusta," remembering her first trip to the U.S. After a brief flight over the airport, they land to visit Tio Pablo and Tia Elisa's store for a limonada ("Flying is hot work"). Off they soar again, viewing the skyscrapers before landing back at the park. As they walk around the path at the lake, Rosalba begs Abuela for another adventure. The paddle boats are waiting. Exquisite color collages convey the special relationship between white-haired Abuela and her granddaughter. Each painting is a tableau of details. The animated tableux features a rainbow of ethnic characters, pets, flowers, and bright curtains with the general excitement of a city street. Each illustration is a masterpiece of color, line, and form that will mesmerize youngsters. These are pages to be studied again and again. The smooth text, interspersed with Spanish words and phrases, provides ample context clues, so the glossary, while helpful, is not absolutely necessary. This is similar in some ways to Faith Ringgold's Tar Beach [BKL Ja 1 91], and used together, these "wish" books would make a powerful foundation for a multicultural unit for children of all ages. Even if used alone, this book is a jewel. ~--Deborah Abbott
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this tasty trip, Rosalba is ``always going places'' with her grandmother--abuela . During one of their bird-feeding outings to the park, Rosalba wonders aloud, ``What if I could fly?'' Thus begins an excursion through the girl's imagination as she soars high above the tall buildings and buses of Manhattan, over the docks and around the Statue of Liberty with Abuela in tow. Each stop of the glorious journey evokes a vivid memory for Rosalba's grandmother and reveals a new glimpse of the woman's colorful ethnic origins. Dorros's text seamlessly weaves Spanish words and phrases into the English narrative, retaining a dramatic quality rarely found in bilingual picture books. Rosalba's language is simple and melodic, suggesting the graceful images of flight found on each page. Kleven's ( Ernst ) mixed-media collages are vibrantly hued and intricately detailed, the various blended textures reminiscent of folk art forms. Those searching for solid multicultural material would be well advised to embark: Vamos ! Ages 3-7. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-- An innovative fantasy narrated by a Hispanic-American child who imagines she's rising into the air over the park and flying away with her loving, rosy-cheeked abuela (grandmother). From the air, they see Manhattan streets, docks, an airport, tourist attractions, and Rosalba's father's office. The simple text could be enjoyed as a read-aloud or as a read-alone for newly independent readers. What makes the book so interesting is Dorros's integration of Spanish words and phrases via Abuela's dialogue within the English text. While some phrases are translated by the child, others will be understood in context. As insurance, a glossary, which provides definitions and pronunciations, is appended. The illustrations sing out a celebration of the love and joy that underlies the brief, straightforward narrative. Combining vibrant watercolor and pastel images with interesting snippets of collage in an exuberant folk-art style, Kleven depicts the adventurous, warm-hearted Abuela and the jazzy, colorful topography of an energetic, multiethnic city. Thoughtful design extends to the endpapers featuring cloud formations that cleverly echo many images from the story. While not bilingual in the strictest sense, this book is a less self-conscious, more artfully natural approach to multicultural material. It should prove useful not only for collections in which there is need for ethnic diversity, but also as enrichment for intellectually curious children who are intrigued by the exploration of another language. --Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Greenwich, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This translated edition features a Spanish text lightly sprinkled with English. Effectively incorporating sensory detail, Dorros eloquently re-creates an atmosphere of vivid imagination as Rosalba and her grandmother circumnavigate Manhattan by air, inviting the reader to experience the sights and sounds of the city. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Rosalba imagines how the grandmother who takes her to the park might soar with her over the city (New York), sharing the sights. Since ``Abuela'' speaks ``mostly Spanish,'' Rosalba mentions many Spanish words for what they see, and in their conversations. Though the storyline here is slight, the relationship glows with affection; the Spanish vocabulary is well integrated and clear in context. Kleven's illustrations--jewel- like collages of sparkling images and patterns, crammed with intriguing details--effectively transmit Rosalba's joy in her narrative. Pronouncing glossary. (Picture book. 3-8)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
